Seed Programs International works by reclaiming seeds that might otherwise go to waste. Here’s how we do it.
The seed trade produces tons of vegetable seed each year and then tests it to ensure that seed production was successful.
Sometimes there are problems. Say, for example, that 20% of a production lot of carrot seed grows carrots too short for commercial growers.
The short carrots don’t meet professional standards and there’s no way to sort out the two types of carrot seed. It all looks the same. So, the entire lot of carrot seed is now unmarketable. But it’s still a source of great food!
Seed Programs International maintains relationships with seed companies so they can find a home for these unmarketable seeds. The companies donate the seed in bulk. SPI keeps seeds stored and tested. We package it, printed in appropriate languages, for use to relieve hunger and malnutrition worldwide.
Sometimes, the process is a little different. Instead of donating unmarketable seed, companies provide seed simply because they want to help us transform the world into one where more people have enough to eat.
Share this post
